The longtime singer of the national anthem for the Chicago White Sox gave the crowd quite a scare before the team took on the Tampa Bay Rays on April 15.
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MLB.com reports that Gerald Chaney collapsed while performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
What Happened to the National Anthem Singer?
Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, and Chaney was set to perform both "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and the national anthem as part of the festivities.
But he had paused twice during his performance. After the second pause, he fell to the ground in the area just behind home plate.
The medical team at Rate Field immediately came to treat the singer. He was alert as he was taken off the field on a stretcher. The game was delayed for 12 minutes while Chaney was being treated.
The White Sox Released a Statement
The team released a statement on Chaney later that day, providing fans with an update on the national anthem singer.
"The White Sox longtime anthem performer, Gerald Chaney, experienced a medical emergency while singing during pregame tonight," it read. "He received treatment by EMTs at the ballpark and was alert prior to being transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
"The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery."
Will Venable, the manager of the White Sox, addressed the incident, saying, "Scary stuff, and really just hopeful that he was all right. I was really glad to hear that he is doing well, but obviously a scary moment. Everyone did a great job in responding and did the best to make sure he was all right. So, really good news to hear that he is all right. ?And yeah, I think that's the most important thing."
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash added, "Appreciate the White Sox and really everybody that played a role, and they came over, and kind of told us that they thought he was going to be okay. But that was very scary for I'm sure both clubs, players. It kind of put a little bit of dull feeling there for the first inning or two."
